Sunday, December 30, 2012

Showcase Sunday (#20): Holiday Haul!

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicki at Books, Biscuits and Tea. Its aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week.

Secret Santa: 
It is true: I have the best Secret Santa EVER. Seriously, just LOOK AT ALL THOSE GIFTS! Lisa at Lisa is Busy Nerding was my Secret Santa and she gifted me everything I've ever wanted. First, a Harry Potter Tote Bag because I am obsessed with Harry Potter, a Lord of the Rings Christmas Card (WITH GANDALF!), a box of Ferrero Rochers because they're my favorite chocolate, a collection of adorable holiday stickers, and, best of all, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. I've already read Seraphina, but I've been going crazy for my own copy and now I have one! I've also heard nothing but amazing things about The Sky is Everywhere, so I can't wait to start it. Thanks Lisa! :D

Gifts: 
Well, these are all the gifts my family got me. You should know that my parents are firm believers in borrowing books from libraries, not buying them, unless I have a gift card or saved money, so I usually get a variety of other gifts from them that aren't book for Christmas. Generally, my birthday is when I get loads of books! ;) I got a ton of movies this year, including The Dark Knight Trilogy (CHRISTIAN BALE!), Inception, You've Got Mail, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (ARAGORN!). I also got a sweater, a peacock shawl, an owl bracelet, a set of holiday earrings, and a $50 Gift Card that I will, undoubtedly, be spending on books!

Surprise Card: 
I received this beautiful Christmas card from Mandee at Vegan YA Nerds. Mandee actually lives in Australia and I was so surprised to see this in my mailbox on Christmas Day! Truly, Mandee is a sweetheart, so thank you so much, dear, for making my Christmas so special! :) 

Borrowed: 
I went to the library my first day of holiday break and got ALL THESE BOOKS! 
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
I already read this one and, while I liked it, I was rather frustrated by the ending. It's a very different, very strange novel, so I'd definitely recommend you all give it a try. You can read my review of it HERE
Unfortunately, this is the ONLY Marillier book my library has, but I can't wait to read it. I love her writing and I've heard this is excellent, so I'm really looking forward to starting it soon! :)
Plain Kate by Erin Bow 
Unfortunately, this was just not a book for me. I know a lot of my friends loved it, but...not me. You can read my review of it HERE
I've only read one Courtney Summers novel, This is Not a Test, and it blew me away. I can't wait to continue to be astounded by her brilliant writing, so I'm really excited about this one! 
I've heard so much about this book from Catie at The Readventurer, Leanne at The Reclusive Reader, and Maja at The Nocturnal Library, so I knew when I saw it in the library this time that I just HAD to pick it up. I really can't wait to read it! 

21 comments:

  1. Yay for so many Christmas gifts! You got a lot of DVDs. :O I'm not the biggest movie person, but I'm glad you are! You need to find a rainy day and just watch all of those movies straight through. ;) Yay for giftcards!!! <3 <3 My family is also a firm believer in using the library. I still need to read Imaginary Girls! It looks mind-blowingly awesome! Great haul this week, Keertana! Happy reading and movie watching. :D

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  2. Looks like you had a lovely holiday this year. Your Secret Santa got you some awesome things. I particularly love that Harry Potter tote. Like you, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about The Sky Is Everywhere. Hope you enjoy it!

    In My Mailbox

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  3. Omnomnom, I love Ferrero Rochers! <3 Eeep, adore the HP tote bag and the card with the cute kitten! ^^ Hope you had a lovely Christmas, Keertana!

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  4. WILDWOOD DANCING! That is one of my favorite books from her. It's such a good book! And I like your presents. Enjoy the movies :D And happy reading!

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  5. Oh wow this is one epic haul Keertana! My family is exactly the same I never get books for Christmas, but also because they never know what I want I usually ask for a gift card and I received a ton this year so I can't wait to go on a book spree! Yay for your awesome dvd's I loved Inception and Lord of the Rings, I still have to watch The Dark Knight trilogy and read Imaginary Girls too! I hope you enjoy all of your goodies! :)

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  6. Wonderful haul Keertana :). I love all the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings gifts! Plus the Ferrero Rocher Chocolates!

    And I approve of The Dark Knight Trilogy :). I think I told you that I got the trilogy on Blue-Ray for my brother as a Christmas Present. We're going to watch The Dark Knight tonight I think. I haven't read Seraphina or The Sky is Everywhere, but they both sound really cool :).

    Enjoy your library books as well and have a Happy New Year!!

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  7. Omggg, so much LOR AWESOMENESS!! Is. Jealous. Ahhh! And *fist-bumps* all around for loving Seraphina, and THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. That is one of my absolute ALL TIME FAVORITES EVER. It's so beautifully and emotionally stunning, riveting in the way the Lena handles her grief. YOU MUST LOVE IT. I COMMAND YOU.

    OH, BOO. You didn't love Plain Kate. But it was so *sobs* EMOTIONAL. I guess I love that sort of thing then.

    That aside, DUDE, enjoy! This haul is just awesome across the board. :-D

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  8. Wow! Awesome Christmas haul! I love the Christian Bale Batman trilogy. Every film just adds to the epicness of the last :)

    Thanks for stopping by Project to be Read!

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  9. Ooh, Lisa really spoiled you with all those lovelies, didn't she? ;) That Harry Potter bag is, like, the definition of awesome-sauce. I want one!! And I can't wait to see what you think of The Sky is Everywhere. I've heard some good things about it, but if you like it, I'll have to get myself a copy. Perhaps you can eat those delicious looking chocolates while you read it? ;)

    I swear our parents know each other or something, because they never let me buy books either! They're all like 'The library has books, Aneeqah' and when I want to support an author by buying their book, they never let me buy it. ='( But sometimes I can convince them to buy some books for me, and they almost always let me get a few books from Half Price Books, so that's always a good thing. But the movies you got look ah-mazing, and now you can rewatch them all whenever you want. Also, yay for a $50 gift card! I'm sure you'll be able to buy some great books with that one.

    Fantabulous haul, Keertana! Enjoy all your lovelies, and have an awesome new year! <3

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  10. I've heard really good things about Imaginary Girls! I'm hoping to check it out at some point! I hope you enjoy everything!

    My IMM

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  11. Gosh Keertana, can your Christmas book haul be any more amazing?! You got so many exciting goodies! First of all, Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy (*fangirls with Keertana over CHRISTIAN BALE!*) and Lord of the Rings trilogy happen to be some of my favourite movies of all time! Also, the Christmas letter with the cat Mandee sent to you is so adorable. :)

    I'm glad you mildly liked Imaginary Girls, although knowing you, I had a feeling you wouldn't completely love it (not with the unlikable characters and unresolved ending, that's for sure). It's a shame about Plain Kate since I really anticipated reading that one, and also, I'm so thrilled you got No and Me! *sigh* That book was quietly beautiful, incredibly written and so very poignant. Some Girls Are is brutal and unpleasant, but DEFINITELY worth the read.
    Enjoy all, Kee!

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  12. What a fantastic gift from Lisa! The Sky is Everywhere is WONDERFUL!

    And yay, I'm glad you liked the card and that it arrived in time for Christmas :D xox

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  13. Wow. This looks like a great haul, Keertana.

    I didn't bother will all my Christmas bits and bobs, but I am so jealous of your Dark Knight trilogy. I ADORE Christian Bale and those films.

    Lucky you!!

    And oooh, look at all those Harry Potter goodies.

    Great haul! :)

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  14. I LOVE THIS IDEA! I need to make a list like this to keep me on track. I'm going to comment on every one that I want to/wish to read. This might be loooong.

    Friday Brown - heard such great things about this one. Plus, Aussie YA. Wins every time.

    I'll Tell You Mine - love loved this one. Reminded me of the queen of YA, Melina Marchetta.

    Fury.Preloved- Shirley is amazing and I want these books more than food or clothes.

    Abhorsen trilogy - I think you will really like these. They are creative and fun.

    Feed trilogy - I had some major issues with Deadline, so I will wait awhile to get to Blackout. I hope you like it more than I did!

    I need to read all of Marillier's novels. So far, I only h ace read Shadowfell and that can't be okay.

    Fever series - I bought the first due to your reviews so that's high on my list too!

    YES, READ ASOIAF! Martin isn't for everyone, but the characters - omg, the characters. Some of my favorites of any genre, for all time, are from that series. And then you can wait in pain for the rest with me! Misery loves company.

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  15. Patrick Rothfuss is amazing. He writes so beautifully - and Kvothe is a one of a kind storyteller.

    Partials - have this, need to read. Maybe readlong?!

    Ditto for Legend by Marie Lu.

    You can't go wrong with Tamora Pierce. Sandry's Book is also on sale on Kindle this month.

    CATHERYNNE VALENTE IS AMAZING. Fairyland is weird and wonderful and creative and so so good.

    Brandon Sanderson wins at fantasy, and he is never better than in Way of Kings. It's huge, but so detailed and intricate.

    I also own the first two Outlander novels but have yet to sink into them. They're huge!

    I adore N.K. Jemisin. POC main characters in fantasy? LOVE. IT.

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  16. I have issues with OSC, but Ender's Game is a must. An absolute must. One of my favorite ya scifi novels of all time.

    Native Star is a big to buy for me. I love the idea and it's gotten raves from so many bloggers I trust.

    Chaos Walking! Another I own and haven't gotten to. I may have a book buying problem. Again - another I am excited about.

    I have a signed Book of Faerie by Stiefvater.. sigh.. I will get to it one day.

    Madapple/Snow Child - also on my acquire immediately lists. Both seem very unique and lovely.

    The Sky is Everywhere - I've heard this is a tearjerker. Which makes me want it even more.

    Gone Girl was.... difficult for me. When it was good, it was really good. When it was bad, it was laughable.

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  17. Graveminder - own it, must read soon! Also, love all the multiple covers I've seen for it.

    Drowning Instinct - I've heard this one is quite the mindf*ck. I wonder if it can live up to the hype?

    Jasper Jones - want it so bad I can taste it! Everyone seems to love Silvey and again, Aussie YA!

    I just ordered a Face Like Glass for a readalong with Heartless Lyn. Kara's review and updates really sold that one for me. Also, the COVER.

    Between Shades of Grey - oh, yes. It was sad, and wonderful, and so so well-written.

    Lucid - another mindfuckery of a novel. It's been months and I STILL think about it, especially the ending.

    You know how I feel about the City's Son. It's weird and strange, reminds me of Neil Gaiman/China Mieville. Wonderful and imaginative.

    Tigana was a miss for me, but I seem to be in the minority for that. And, admittedly, I liked it enough to buy more GGK (Under Heaven and preorder River of Stars.)



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  18. Living Dead Girl - I've heard mixed things about Scott's way of writing, but I want to try this, Grace and As I Wake.

    Sisters Inanity - I've not yet heard of this but I WANT IT NOW.

    I'm beyond excited for more Alison Goodman. I hope the new series lives up to Eona.

    I read and liked House of Shadows, so reading the Griffin Mage books and The Floating Islands will happen for me in 2013.

    Courtney Summers - I've read two (This is Not a Test; Fall for Anything) and her other two novels are high on my list. She is so talented it's unfair!

    Memoirs of a Geisha is beautiful. Honestly, the keiso sections from House of Shadows reminded me SO MUCH of that book. I might have to reread it soon.

    Maze Runner is only $1.99 today from amazon! go get it, girl.

    Ultraviolet for the win!

    Sorry I took over your feed, but this is an excellent list. I hope you read all of them!

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  19. aw crap. I opened this in a new window and just realized this is the wrong post! My bad my bad. These were all for your 112 book goal posts. :(

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  20. Ahh! So much amazing :D So jealous of Harry Potter bag. Looks gorgeous. <3 And LOTR movies! Best movies ever. Also very much loved Imaginary Girls :) Perfect book. I hope you will love everything that you got :D (also, I might have agreed about the ending to the book :D)
    Love, Carina @ Carina's Books

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